Sick-listed persons’ experiences with taking part in an in-patient occupational rehabilitation program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: a qualitative focus group interview study

Background: Occupational medicine has shifted emphasis from disease treatment to disability rehabilitation and management. Hence, newly developed occupational rehabilitation programs are often generic and multicomponent, aiming to influence the sick-listed persons’ perception on return to work, and thereby support the return to work process. The aim of this study was to explore sick-listed persons’ experiences with taking part in an in-patient occupational rehabilitation program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Methods: Twenty-nine adults on sickness benefit or work assessment allowance due to musculoskeletal and/or common mental health disorders participated in this study. They were interviewed in focus groups at the beginning and at the end of a 3.5 week inpatient group-based occupational rehabilitation program in Central Norway. Key elements in the program were Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), physical exercise and creating a work-participation plan. The program was mainly group-based including participants with different diagnoses. Data was analyzed according to a phenomenological approach. Results: At the start of the program most participants expressed frustration regarding being sick-listed, external anticipations as well as hindrances towards returning to work, and described hope that the program would provide them with the skills and techniques necessary to cope with health problems and being able to return to work. At the end of the program the participants described that they had embarked upon a long process of increased awareness. This process encompassed four areas; an increased awareness of what was important in life, realizing the strain from external expectations and demands, a need to balance different aspects of life, and return to work as part of a long and complex process. Conclusions: The occupational rehabilitation program induced a perceived meaningful reorientation encompassing several aspects of life. However, the return to work process was described as diffuse and uncertain for most participants. The providers of occupational rehabilitation program should balance this reorientation with specific steps towards return to work. Effect studies and long-term qualitative studies evaluating how this affects long-term work- and health outcomes are underway. Keywords: MeSH, Absenteeism, Occupational health, Rehabilitation, Return to work, Acceptance and commitment therapy, Cognitive behaviour therapy, Musculoskeletal diseases

Two‑Year Follow‑Up of a Randomized Clinical Trial of Inpatient Multimodal Occupational Rehabilitation Vs Outpatient Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Sick Listed Workers with Musculoskeletal or Common Mental Disorders

Purpose There is a lack of results on long-term effects of return to work interventions. We previously reported that an inpatient multimodal occupational rehabilitation program (I-MORE) was more effective in reducing sickness absence and facilitating return to work (RTW) at 12 months follow-up compared to an outpatient program that consisted mainly of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (O-ACT). We now report the 2-year outcome data. Methods A randomized clinical trial with parallel groups. Participants were 18–60 years old, sick listed with musculoskeletal, common mental or general/unspecified disorders. I-MORE lasted 3.5 weeks and consisted of ACT, physical training and work-related problem solving. O-ACT consisted mainly of 6 weekly sessions (2.5 h. each) of ACT in groups. Outcomes were cumulated number of days on medical benefits and time until sustainable RTW (1 month without medical benefits) during 2-years of follow-up, measured by registry data. Results For the 166 randomized participants, the median number of days on medical benefits was 159 (IQR 59–342) for I-MORE vs 249 days (IQR 103–379; Mann–Whitney U test, p = 0.07), for O-ACT. At 2 years, 40% in I-MORE received long-term benefits (work assessment allowance) vs 51% in O-ACT. The crude hazard ratio (HR) for sustainable RTW was 1.59 (95% CI 1.04–2.42, p = 0.03) and the adjusted HR 1.77 (95% CI 1.14–2.75, p = 0.01), in favor of I-MORE. Conclusions The 2-year outcomes show that I-MORE had long-term positive effects on increasing work participation for individuals sick listed with musculoskeletal and mental disorders. Further follow-up and economic evaluations should be performed

The acceptance and commitment therapy model in occupational rehabilitation of musculoskeletal and common mental disorders: a qualitative focus group study

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine whether and how intended processes of behavioural change were reflected in participants’ experiences after an inpatient occupational rehabilitation programme. The programme was transdiagnostic, lasted 3½ weeks and was based on the acceptance and commitment therapy model. Methods: Twenty-two participants (17 women and 5 men) took part in five qualitative focus group interviews after the programme. Analysis was data-driven, categorising participants’ experiences using an initial explorative phenomenological approach. The emerging data-driven categories were re-contextualised within the theoretical framework of the therapy model. Results: The participants referred to experiences within all three intended domains of the model (openness, awareness, and engagement). Our results indicate that the transdiagnostic approach may have facilitated openness, while the attainment of flexible self-awareness was less evident. Participants expressed engagement and behavioural changes linked to personal values, but did not mention actions leading to imminent return to work. Conclusions: The results imply that for implementation in occupational rehabilitation, further development of this model is needed specifically regarding processes related to self-awareness and committed action towards work. These findings are relevant for the interpretation of results from randomised clinical trials on acceptance and commitment therapy in occupational rehabilitation. Implications for rehabilitation Acceptance and commitment therapy seems to be a feasible component in an occupational rehabilitation programme for persons with different diagnoses. A transdiagnostic approach mixing musculoskeletal pain disorders and common mental disorders in the same rehabilitation programme seems to facilitate the process of openness and acceptance. There is a need to further develop and operationalise some of the processes in Acceptance and commitment therapy to accommodate the approach to the occupational rehabilitation context

Kan fysisk aktivitet redusere sykefravær og uføretrygding?

Innledning: Sykefravær og uføretrygding er betydelige folkehelseproblem med store konsekvenser for enkeltindivid, familie og samfunn. Fysisk aktivitet og trening har mange helsegevinster, og anvendes både i forebygging og behandling av ulike plager og kroniske sykdommer. Imidlertid er sammenhengen mellom fysisk aktivitet og sykefravær uavklart. Q Hoveddel: Artikkelen baserer seg på søk i Pubmed. Bare prospektive befolkningsstudier som undersøkte sammenhengen mellom fysisk aktivitet/kapasitet og sykefravær/ uføretrygd ble inkludert. Tolv studier rapporterte at fysisk aktive hadde redusert risiko for sykefravær eller uføretrygd. Tre av disse rapporterte sterkere sammenhenger ved anstrengende aktivitet sammenlignet med moderat aktivitet. Tre studier viste at god aerob kapasitet medførte redusert risiko for sykefravær. En studie rapporterte en positiv sammenheng mellom muskulær styrke og sykefravær. Fysisk aktivitet i jobben økte risikoen for sykefravær, mens fysisk aktivitet på fritiden reduserte risikoen i en studie. Imidlertid var det i ulik grad justert for potensielle konfunderende variabler. Q Avslutning: Prospektive befolkningsstudier indikerer at utholdenhetsevne og fysisk aktivitet i fritiden reduserer risikoen for sykefravær/uføretrygding. Anstrengende aktivitet ser ut til å redusere risiko for sykefravær/uføretrygd i større grad enn moderat og lett aktivitet, som kan skyldes større effekt på helse og på fysisk kapasitet – som kan gi lavere relativ arbeidsbelastning. Rehabilitering og forebyggende tiltak bør derfor vektlegge jevnlig deltakelse i fysisk aktivitet og trening som inkluderer anstrengende fysisk aktivitet. Vi foreslår en modell for hvordan fysisk aktivitet kan redusere sykefravær og uføretrygding

The Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) Does it really measure fear beliefs?

Study Design. A cohort study with 12 months of follow-up. Objective. To assess (1) the unidimensionality of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) and (2) whether single questions in the FABQ predict future sickness absence as well as the whole scale. Summary of Background Data. The fear-avoidance model is a leading model in describing the link between musculoskeletal pain and chronic disability. However, reported measurement properties have been inconsistent regarding the FABQ. Methods. Individuals (n = 722) sick listed due to musculoskeletal, unspecified or common mental health disorders undergoing rehabilitation was included. A Rasch analysis was applied to evaluate the measurement properties of FABQ and its two subscales (physical activity and work). Linear regression was used to assess how well single items predicted future sickness absence. Results. The Rasch analysis did not support the FABQ or its two subscales representing a unidimensional construct. The 7-point scoring of the items was far too fine meshed and in the present population the data only supported a yes or no or a 3-point response option. The items were invariant to age, whereas two of the items revealed sex differences. The item “I do not think that I will be back to my normal work within 3 months” was the best predictor of future sickness absence. Adding the item “I should not do my regular work with my present pain” improved the prediction model slightly. Conclusion. The FABQ is not a good measure of fear-avoidance beliefs about work or physical activity, and the predictive property of the FABQ questionnaire is most likely related to expectations rather than fear. Based on these results we do not recommend using the FABQ to measure fear-avoidance beliefs

Effects of Inpatient Multicomponent Occupational Rehabilitation versus Less Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation on Somatic and Mental Health: Secondary Outcomes of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose To evaluate effects on somatic and mental health of a multicomponent inpatient occupational rehabilitation program compared to a less comprehensive outpatient program in individuals on sick leave for musculoskeletal complaints or mental health disorders. Methods A randomized clinical trial with parallel groups. Participants were individuals on sick-leave for 2–12 months with a sick-leave diagnosis within the musculoskeletal, psychological or general and unspecified chapters of ICPC-2. Potential participants were identified in the Social Security System Registry. The multicomponent inpatient program (4 + 4 days) consisted of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, physical training and work-related problem-solving including creating a return to work plan and a workplace visit if considered relevant. The comparative outpatient program consisted primarily of ACT (6 sessions during 6 weeks). Self-reported health-related quality of life, subjective health complaints, pain and anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed up to 12 months after the program. Results 168 individuals were randomized to the multicomponent inpatient program (n = 92) or the outpatient program (n = 76). Linear mixed models showed no statistically significant differences between the programs, except for slightly more reduced pain after the outpatient program. Conclusions This study presents no support that a 4 + 4 days multicomponent inpatient rehabilitation program is superior to a less comprehensive outpatient program, in improving health outcomes

Changes in fear-avoidance beliefs and work participation after occupational rehabilitation for musculoskeletal- and common mental disorders: secondary outcomes of two randomized clinical trials

Objectives: To assess: (i) whether changes in the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) were greater for multicomponent inpatient rehabilitation vs outpatient cognitive behavioural therapy, and (ii) whether baseline scores and changes (pre- to post-intervention) in FABQ were associated with future work-participation. Methods: Individuals sick-listed for 2–12 months were randomized to inpatient multicomponent rehabilitation (3.5 weeks or 4+4 days) or outpatient cognitive behavioural therapy (6 sessions/6 weeks). Results: A total of 334 subjects were included. There were no significant differences on FABQ between the in- and out-patient programmes during follow-up. Participants with consistently low scores on the work subscale had more work-participation days, followed by those who reduced their scores. Participants who increased, or had consistently high scores had the least workdays. For the physical activity subscale, the associations were weaker. FABQ-work scores at baseline were associated with number of work-participation days for both musculoskeletal and psychological diagnoses, and more strongly for the latter group. Conclusion: This study suggests that FABQ could be a useful prognostic tool for individuals on sick leave due to musculoskeletal or psychological disorders. There was no evidence that inpatient occupational rehabilitation reduces FABQ scores more than outpatient cognitive behavioural therapy.publishedVersionThis is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license. © 2019 Foundation of Rehabilitation Informatio

Resistance band training or general exercise in multidisciplinary rehabilitation of low back pain? A randomized trial

Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation has been recommended for chronic low back pain (LBP), including physical exercise. However, which exercise modality that is most advantageous in multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation is unclear. In this study, we investigated whether multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation could be more effective in reducing pain‐related disability when general physical exercise was replaced by strength training in the form of progressive resistance training using elastic resistance bands. In this single‐blinded (researchers), randomized controlled trial, 99 consenting adults with moderate‐to‐severe non‐specific LBP were randomized to three weeks of multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation with either general physical exercise or progressive resistance band training and were then instructed to continue with their respective home‐based programs for nine additional weeks, in which three booster sessions were offered. The primary outcome was between‐group difference in change on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at 12 weeks. Due to early dropouts, data from 74 participants (mean age: 45 years, 57% women, mean ODI: 30.4) were obtained at baseline, 61 participants were followed‐up at 3 weeks, and 46 at 12 weeks. There was no difference in the change in ODI score between groups at 12 weeks (mean difference 1.9, 95% CI: −3.6, 7.4, P = .49). Likewise, the change in secondary outcomes did not differ between groups, except for the patient‐specific functional scale (0‐10), which favored general physical exercise (mean difference 1.4, 95% CI: 0.1, 2.7, P = .033). In conclusion, this study does not support that progressive resistance band training compared to general physical exercise improve outcomes in multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation for patients with non‐specific LBP.publishedVersion© 2018 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science In Sports Published by John Wiley & Sons Lt

Transdiagnostic group-based occupational rehabilitation for participants with chronic pain, chronic fatigue and common mental disorders. A feasibility study.

Purpose: The aim was to investigate the feasibility of introducing a novel transdiagnostic occupational rehabilitation program delivered in groups mixing participants with chronic pain, chronic fatigue and common mental disorders. Materials and methods: Observational data on group climate and individual participation were triangulated with qualitative data from focus group interviews on the participants’ experiences with transdiagnostic groups. Results: The study included 222 participants receiving a temporary work disability benefit. Self-reported chronic pain (75%), chronic fatigue (79%), and mental distress (62%) were prevalent and the majority reported overlapping conditions (78%). Program completion among participants was high (96%). Those completing participated actively (95%) in the program. Overall group climate was stable with moderately high engagement. Participants with clinically confirmed mental disorders (22%) showed similar outcomes. Self-reported problems with “working in a group” prior to rehabilitation were not associated with how participants experienced group climate. Qualitative data supported the findings of positive participant experiences with transdiagnostic group settings. Conclusions: Transdiagnostic groups showed high participation rates, moderately high group engagement across symptom profiles and positive participant experiences. Implementing transdiagnostic occupational rehabilitation in groups mixing participants with chronic pain, chronic fatigue and common mental disorders was feasible and acceptable to participants. Implications for rehabilitation Most research has been done on disorder-specific occupational rehabilitation programs, but emerging evidence supports a more generic approach. Transdiagnostic therapies, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), have shown promising results for both somatic and mental disorders. The feasibility of implementing transdiagnostic rehabilitation groups, their acceptability to participants and the demand for such groups has not been established. This study indicates that it is feasible to introduce a novel transdiagnostic group-based occupational rehabilitation program for mixed groups of sick-listed participants with chronic pain, chronic fatigue and/or common mental disorders